Executive Director

ORGANIZATION: Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development Council (ARCD) was founded by representatives from seven upper East Tennessee counties in 1994.   ARCD is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization serving Northeast Tennessee and beyond. ARCD strives to make a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable regional food system that serves the needs of both local producers and consumers. Our mission is to conserve natural resources and improve rural economies through community leadership and enhanced educational opportunities.

Since its founding, ARCD has stayed true to its original mission, and today boasts an annual budget of $2.6 million, a team of six staff members, and has secured over $10 million in grant funding for our regional food system in the last five years.  Learn more at www.arcd.org.

WHERE WE ARE TODAY: Our current programming includes sustainable production and business planning training for beginning farmers; peer networking and conservation workshops for women farmers and landowners; organic gardening training for family, school, and community gardeners; produce incentive programs for low-income community members; a marketing campaign for local food and farmers markets; and farmland conservation efforts. ARCD provides fiscal sponsorship for projects in the region and across the state including a farmers cooperative building a new meat processing facility, streambank restoration, and community wildfire mitigation. 

ARCD seeks a dynamic and experienced executive director to continue our legacy!

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

• Use your leadership to ignite and kindle the passion for our mission with all organization stakeholders – staff, board, volunteers, donors – propelling them to invite people to join in our work.
• Build a real sense of belonging for those who have found their way to our organization, ensuring that our ecosystem is diverse, equitable and inclusive.
• Model the leadership you look to see in others by tending to your own self care

Board Partnership

• Build, cultivate and nurture a true partnership with the Board of Directors built on mutual respect and trust.
• Provide the Board of Directors with the resources, information and training necessary to fulfill their duties and be organizational ambassadors.
• Work with board committees to achieve their work and goals including the Finance and Audit, Personnel, and Governance committees.
• Actively engage with the Governance committee to help identify prospective board members who bring the skills, attributes, lived experience, and community networks necessary for the board to be the best partner it can be.

Vision and Strategy

• In partnership with the board and staff, align the organization around a compelling vision for the future, one that we can rally stakeholders and donors around as we secure resources, human and financial to support our work.
• Ensure that mission and core values are developed to provide the organization with a compass to guide us toward our vision.
• Develop goals, strategies and tactics in the form of annual plans as a key roadmap that introduces an accountability component to the strategy we develop.

Management

• Build, lead, and retain an effective and diverse staff team of 8-10 people who are very passionate about sustainable agriculture and local food systems and dedicated to the mission and with the requisite skills to be successful in their work.
• Establish effective decision making at all levels to ensure that voices are heard and that short- and long-term goals are met.
• Ensure the organization is resting on a fiscally sound foundation and that relevant parties are informed about fiscal status and that financial information is communicated in a manner accessible to all.
• Foster a work culture that emphasizes learning, collaboration and a healthy work/life balance.
• Plan, organize, distribute, and coordinate the flow of work.
• Ensure effective onboarding, capacity building, professional development and performance management strategies, and compliance with applicable labor laws.
• Ensure that job descriptions are updated regularly, that qualifications for each position are clearly outlined, and that periodic assessments are made for the need for new employee positions.

Organizational and Financial Administration

• Create and oversee the execution of a 5-year strategic plan for the organization.
• Develop written systems for personnel management, performance reviews, financial administration, hiring, onboarding, etc.
• Foster an environment of open communication with the staff and board.
• Provide budget oversight, coordinate annual budget development, and perform cash flow analysis and long-range forecasts of financial needs.
• Regularly review the operating budget as well as monthly budget-to-actuals and prepare reports for board meetings.
• Maintain effective systems for tracking spending rates and have policies for addressing anomalies in revenue and expenses.
• Build capacity of program managers to support responsible financial management for their assigned programs.
• Manage staff payroll and contractor payments.
• Ensure proper stewardship of grant funding, including ensuring that project budgets, timelines and outcomes are being met and reporting is submitted at appropriate times.

Impact

• Oversee a programmatic portfolio that is designed with a deep understanding of the communities we serve and that aligns with our mission and our long-range plans.
• Ensure effective systems for program evaluation and regularly evaluate the program portfolio, ever mindful of the need to adapt to the needs of our communities.
• Bring a spirit of innovation to the program work with an eye toward piloting new ideas that could be incorporated into or will maximize existing work
• Act as the “face” of the organization, actively and strategically engaging with the community while attending community events, networking, and public speaking.

Growing Resources

• Serve as the fundraiser in chief of the organization, setting fundraising strategy, and being responsible for working with staff, board and volunteers to identify prospects and close gifts.
• Bring an understanding that fundraising is relational and develop strategies that ensure that donors are nurtured from their first gift
• Provide oversight of staff grant writers and assist in the development of project narratives and budgets.
• Oversee fundraising events, including our annual farm to table dinner.

The Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will embody the values of ARCD and bring leadership and strategic insights to the work through the following skills and characteristics:

• Has a deep belief in and passion for our organization’s purpose.
• Exudes humble confidence.
• Compelling communicator and storyteller.
• Keen understanding of the ability to listen, meet people where they are, and engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders.
• Leads and manages with intention.
• Culturally responsive and emotionally intelligent.
• Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrates compassion and empathy, especially in times of crisis.
• Digitally savvy with enthusiasm about its possibilities.
• Leads and manages with a growth mindset, open to learning and adapting.
• Courageous and compassionate truth-teller.
• Recognizes that leadership is a joyful responsibility.

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate degree required; advanced degree in a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a non-profit leadership or senior managerial role.
• Demonstrated experience with staff management, program development, monitoring, and evaluation required.
• Successful and significant fundraising, donor management and cultivation, and grant writing experience required.
• Computer literate – proficient in Excel, G-Suite, Dropbox, QuickBooks, internet and email platforms. Experience with CRM, fundraising platforms, and email list management platforms preferred.
• Ability to lead and work collaboratively with diverse community partners and staff.
• Passion for sustainable farming, conservation, and food justice.

Work Environment

• Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends on an as needed basis.
• This job is primarily performed in an office setting but does include occasional visits to working agricultural operations.

Salary Benefits included:

• Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Salary Range: $60,000 to $72,000.
• Flexible schedule and option for a four-day work week.
• PTO 24-36 days annually, depending on longevity.
• 13 paid holidays
• Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Application Instructions

• Please email a cover letter, resume, and three references to [email protected] by April 15th. In subject line please list as “Executive Director Application – [YOUR NAME].” You may address letters to “Personnel Committee Members.”

**The Appalachian RC&D Council is committed to diversity and to equal opportunity employment. Appalachian RC&D Council does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability (including HIV status), veteran status, military obligations, or marital status. This policy applies to hiring, internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, and terminations and applies to all Appalachian RC&D employees, volunteers, members, clients, and contractors.**